Parthenogenesis is derived from the Greek words for вЂњvirgin birthвЂќ and several insect species including aphids, bees and ants are known to reproduce through the process, although the phenomenon is rare in birds. He got goosebumps as he realized that the condors had reproduced through parthenogenesis вЂ“ a form of reproduction in which an egg can develop into an embryo without being fertilized by a sperm. Ryder remembers the conversation with his colleague about the strange cases. The results were confirmed by multiple samples, so scientists were confident it wasnвЂ™t a mistake. Both involved chicks that came from an egg without genetic material from the male who shared the enclosure and was presumed to be the father. When the scientists completed their investigation, there were two glaring cases that indicated something was amiss. They used condor samples collected over the course of the programвЂ™s 30-plus-year history, including blood, eggshell membrane, tissue from deceased birds and feathers. More recently, scientists decided to undertake a complete genetic analysis of the population, which had grown to more than 900 birds. Ryder says the zoo continued to use DNA testing to determine the familial relationships between the condors, to avoid inbreeding closely related individuals. The females lay a single egg every second year.The journey that led to discovering the condorвЂ™s asexual reproduction also began in the 1980s, when the San Diego Zoo was tasked with developing a test to determine the sex of the few remaining wild condors, which were eventually all brought into the care of two captive breeding locations. They roost on tree branches and along cliff ledges, often communally, although they do not nest communally and will defend their nesting area aggressively. They mainly scavenge on the carcasses of large mammals, but are also known to feed on dead rodents and rabbits. Breeding sites are rocky outcrops, the cavities of large trees, or cracks in the cliffs. The condor is now found in remote and irregularly wooded hills and open-country scrubland with of rocky terrain. To ensure the survival of the species, in 1987 all the remaining wild birds were placed in a captive breeding programme. However, by 1937 the range had contracted to California only. Historically the species had a large range down the West coast of North America. NE Not Evaluated DD Data Deficient LC Least Concern NT Near Threatened VU Vulnerable EN Endangered CR Critically Endangered EW Extinct in the Wild EX Extinct Distribution The California Condor has also held mythological and cultural significance to Native American tribes, and interestingly the perception of it differs from tribe to tribe. The California condor is the sole member of its genus Gymnogyps, and within its family Cathartidae (the New World vultures) all but one of the seven genera are monotypic.

Their lifestyle not breeding until they are at least six years old, and only having one chick once every other year, leaves them vulnerable to changes in their habitats. The condors ingest the lead from animals wounded or killed with lead-based ammunition which builds up in their system to toxic levels. To maintain the current small population condors are monitored and treated for lead poisoning, without which the population would likely crash again. In 2003 the first chick successfully fledged from a nest cave in the wild since the reintroduction вЂ“ with consistent conservation attention and a more open dialogue on the use of lead-based ammunition, the species will hopefully reach a steady and healthy population. Reintroduction began in 1991, and has led to the wild population increasing to ~500 birds. In 1987 the 27 remaining wild birds were taken into a captive breeding programme. It has suffered at the hand of persecution, lead poisoning and habitat destruction. Iconic and intimidating, the California condor is the largest land bird in North America

Condor vs vulture